Bloomington, IN Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Curfew hours
- Sunset to sunrise, daily
- Exceptions
- Night fishing; approved parks programs
- Fine range
- $25 to $500 per offense
- Enforcement
- Police, sheriff, state conservation officers
- Governing chapter
- BMC Ch. 11.08, Griffy Lake
Summary
In the City of Bloomington, no one may be on the waters or city-owned lands surrounding Griffy Lake after sunset or before sunrise. The only exceptions are night fishing and specially scheduled parks department programs. Police, the Monroe County sheriff, and state conservation officers all enforce the curfew under the Bloomington Municipal Code.
No person shall be allowed on the waters of or the lands owned by the city surrounding Griffy Lake after sunset or before sunrise. The sole exception shall be persons who are night fishing or participating in a specially scheduled parks department sponsored or approved programs. ... This chapter may be enforced by any police officer of the city, the sheriff or deputy sheriffs of Monroe County, the state conservation officers, and such deputy officers as may be approved by the mayor. ... Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars but not more than five hundred dollars, to which shall be added the revocation of the license for any boat from which such violation occurs.
Full Breakdown
08 governing Griffy Lake, bars anyone from being on the waters of, or the city-owned lands surrounding, Griffy Lake after sunset or before sunrise. The sole exceptions are people night fishing or taking part in a specially scheduled parks department sponsored or approved program. The chapter defines 'Griffy Lake' as the artificial lake impounded by the dam and spillway across Griffy Creek in Bloomington Township, Monroe County, and the 'Griffy Lake Nature Preserve' as the surrounding land the city owns and the board of park commissioners manages.
090 gives enforcement authority to any Bloomington police officer, the sheriff or deputy sheriffs of Monroe County, state conservation officers, and any deputy officers the mayor approves, so the curfew is not limited to city police alone. 100 makes a violator civilly liable for any damage or expense the violation causes the city or another person, on top of the criminal penalty.
Violations & Fines
Section 11.08.310 makes each day a violation continues a separate offense and sets a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars but not more than five hundred dollars per offense. Where the violation involves a licensed boat, the fine is paired with revocation of that boat's license. Violators also remain civilly liable for any resulting damage or city expense under § 11.08.100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Griffy Lake at night in Bloomington?
Who enforces the Griffy Lake curfew?
What is the fine for being at Griffy Lake after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
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